To be honest, it doesn't WOW me, but it's fairly good.

The Plot is interesting, the characters are thought up well, the sex scenes...well lets just say they have sex every second, but are nicely detailed and I think I can speak for every yaoi fangirl "unfuckingcensored". To be honest I would re-read the whole thing again just for the whip scene.
Decent, and hilarious if you have a sick sense of humor.

This book is definitely one of my favourite hard yaoi story. It was unusual, interesting, suspenseful, artistically gorgeous in details and so incredibly hot! I find characters are so refreshingly true albeit in brutally honest, smexy sort of way. I was hoping fervently that the author would finish this series & it seems that I finally got my wish. Now the takubon is finally in work in Japan & 801 Media has confirmed that they are planning to license vol 2 as soon as it is available for license. Yaaay! I still remember one of the 801 Media moderator complaining how the sale of volume 1 was way below expectation compared to their sales fcst timeline. Well, that is no longer true. Vol 1 print goes for > 2x MSRP now. Sometimes it just takes a while for the rest of the yaoi fan girl to realize what a good yaoi is and the ratings at MU here is pretty good indication of predicted popularity.

... Last updated on May 15th, 2011, 8:00pm

Oh man, oh man. You know normally I'm for stories more than art than anything and to be honest this story wasn't all that original or fascinating, but somehow this author has just the right combination of art, characters and story that it's altogether addicting. And the art ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL BY THE WAY. At every panel I don't know whether to drool or just bow to Ogasawara-sama as a fellow artist. I also like how, despite the fact that Leo seems to be girly, at least his body is realistic as a man who knows how to fight. Though his body still seems girly in comparison to Jemaru's guns. D:

My only complaint though is that I know it's only part of his character, but (I don't really consider this a spoiler, because it's kind of nonimportant) Jemaru is too loose! He's does it with like everyone. I don't know to me that kind of spoils the romance, and that's really all this story has going for it, BESIDES THE ART.

Warning: hardcore and rape. I like hardcore titles so it wasn't a problem. I give it 10 for good art and a plot that'll get you hooked. I love historical settings so that's also a plus. It's too bad I guess I'd have to wait a little longer because the mangaka hasn't finished the 2nd volume. I'm itching to know what will happen to Jejumaru and Leonard. Try it it's worth reading.

... Last updated on February 21st, 2008, 6:06pm

Even though this story has come to a stand still, with no tankobon 2 in sight, it is still worth the incomplete, albeit ultimately frustrating read. But, boy, is every page worth reading over...and over! There are so many nuances in story, character and art.

Absolutely stunning in both plot and art. The characters' psyche are fascinating and intricately woven! The art is fine-lined, detailed and beautiful. It may have the typical beautiful bishounen, but it's not for the soft, romantic sweetness lovers. It dark and rough and humiliating and yet inspiring with its different perspectives.

... Last updated on February 18th, 2010, 8:59am

The art is gorgeous but the story is... meh. I was actually hoping for more development but instead its more like a "rape, hump, hump, hump" kinda thing. It would be better if the author really emphasized Jamal's past though. The first chapter caught my attention and that was good enough for like a few chapters. Hopefully the series gets more chapters~ Overall it was a good quick read.

The first chapter gave me a really good impression - it has good-looking characters, lots of hardcore smut, and an interesting setting. To me, those three things are the main attraction of this series, since the character relationships are not that developed and the plot isn't very complicated either.

I just wish that the next volume would come out soon, because the 1st volume ended at a cliffhanger, and no one likes a cliffhanger!

... Last updated on June 23rd, 2010, 12:42am

the art in this was so amazing!! and hott on top of that!! how can you get any better than that?? how bout, men who are clearly men! not girly and frail! how bout, DRAMA! this has an actual plot line...(kinda) which tends to revolve around sex...but hey! who doesn't like a good, well drawn, sexy manga?? can't wait for the next volume to come out!!

You can call me an outdated/old-fashioned fangirl but I'm the type that always biased toward the uke so it's easy for me to hate on this unloyal seme! Not only he continued to have sex with other people after meeting the uke, he also still had feeling for others beside the uke... I can try to ignore the unfaithfulness if it's only body but betraying in mind is unforgiveable...

It seems like the uke had threw away everything he has even his pride to fall in "love" with the seme, but what he received is not sth really equal.

This is a set up as a classic "Stockholm syndrome" historical fantasy story, however, the main character Leonard, does not give in and is a strong uke. Jamal is not a horrible person and has an interesting personality. There is character development in the second volume (which is done beautifully in a digital copy by 801 Media). I was very happy with the entire story!

The artwork is beautiful and exquisite, which goes along very well with the palaces and knights portrayed in the manga.

The plot is action packed and never boring. The rape isn't hardcore, but the sex is definitely well-displayed! I never found anything in this manga to be disgusting or absurd, not the personalities of the characters or the dialog. You will love this manga!! Read the second volume!! It's worth the buy!